Article traying machine



April 1948- c. A. BROWN :TAL

ARTICLE TRAYING MACHINE Filed Feb. 22, 1943 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 iii wmw m mZN M F. D Nm R m by I Their- A't't'or'neg.

April 9 c. A. BROWN arm. 2,439,883

ARTICLE TRAYING MACHINE Filed Feb. 22, 1943 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 l\ Q Q 0 g1 O a kg 0 z 0 Q \5 i Mg. & o F N k u :3 m q ID w k I g i 911 I E g (\2N w. m if: Q S -1- S S *1 I T" m Q 00 Q co & Q :3] R R a g Q g N \Q Nlnven'tor's.

[3 3 Cart A. Brown, N Frank B. Van Sickle, Dec. By,

Doris M. Van Sickle, Admrx., by ,W/

Their AWcornea April 0, 1948. c. A. BROWN EI'AL 2,439,883

1 ARTICLE TRAYING MACHINE Filed Feb. 22. 1943 7 Sheets-Sheet s Fig 3.

lnventorst Carl A. Brown, 1

57 Frank B. Van Sickle, Dec. B5,

Doris M. Van Sickle, Adm1- Their A'htor'ne April 20, 1948. c. A. BROWNEIAL ARTICLE TRAYING MACHINE Filed Feb. 22, 1943 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 B X1% WDA S Q wmmw nA m wm m .maNV B s n. er Hm bgj Their A't't'or'neg.

April 20, 1948. c. A. BROWN ErAL' ARTICLE TRAYING- MACHINE Filed Feb.22, 1943 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Inventor's CarL A. Brown, Frank B. VanSickLe, Dec. B

Doris V Sickle, Admrx.,

Their A't'torneg.

April 0, 1948. c. A. BROWN ETAL 39,883

ARTICLE TRAYING MACHINE Filed Feb. 22, 1943 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Figlnven'bors fax CGT'L A. Brown, wg fw Frar k B. Van Sicklefiec. By, [MDOT'IS M. Van SickLe, Admrx, W \M/ Patented Apr. 20, 1948 anrrcm mamameme Carl A. Brown, Chardon/Ohlo, and Frank B. Van Sickle, deceased,late of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, by Doris M. Van Sickle, administratrix,Cleveland Heights, Ohio, assignors to General Electric Company, acorporation of New York Application February 22, 1943, Serial No.476,780

9 Claims.

Our invention relates to automatic apparatus for placing articles intrays and more particularly to automatic apparatus for placing bulbs forthereof which must be placed in trays to enable the handling,inspecting, frosting and storing of the bulbs to be carried outefficiently. The bulbs are presented on a relatively Wide moving beltand must be placed in a plurality of rows of openings in trays in anupright position. The bulbs cover almost the entire top surface of thebelt and are provided in such quantities that trays are required tocarry them from place to place either manually or in conveyor systems,etc.

An object of our invention is to provide apparatus for receiving aconstant stream of disarranged bulbs, orientating said bulbs andthereafter placing them at selected positions in a tray.

Another object of our invention is to provide apparatus forautomatically placing large quantities of bulbs into trays at a veryhigh rate of speed.

Another object of our invention is to provide apparatus forautomatically placing glass bulbs of different sizes and shapes in trayswith negligible breakage and in a ready and satisfactory manner.Although all glass bulbs have a generally bulbous portion and anextended neck portion, they vary considerably and are very'difiicult tohandle, particularly in large numbers, where many may be broken bystriking against one another. The satisfactory manner of operation alsodepends on the ability of the machine to operate both at slightly andgreatly varying speeds as the speed of manufacture of a bulb is oftenvaried slightly whereas different bulbs are often manufactured atgreatly different speeds.

Still another object of our invention is to provide automatic apparatusfor orientating considerable numbers of bulbs into a common position,for advancing a succession of trays toa receiving or loading station andfor inserting the neck portion of said bulbs into openings in the traysFig. 2 is a vertical section through the remaining portion of saidmachine, which portion coordinates the movements of the bulbs and traysand subsequently places the bulbs in the openings of the trays; Fig. 3is a plan view partially broken away of the bulb receiving portion ofthe machine; Fig. 4 is a perspectiveview of one of the bulb guides andadjacent partitions; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of thebulb feed and storage chain; Fig. 6 is an elevation of a portion of thedischarge end of the feed and storage chain, the bulb slide rails, andother apparatus at the bulb placement station X (Fig. 2) with thesupport bearings in the side frame and other portions thereof brokenaway; Fig. 7 is a vertical section along line l-l of Fig. 1 of theforward end of the tray conveyor; Fig. 8 is an end view partially brokenaway of the tray advancing means taken from a section through the trayconveyor along line 8-8 of Fig. 2; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of aportion of the tray advancing chain and the support bar therefor; Fig.10 is a side elevation of the tray filling end of the machine with aportion of the drive means broken away; Fig. 11 is a view of theopposite end of the bulb escapement wheel from that shown in Fig. 2;Fig. 12 is a plan view of the tray filling end of the machine with acenter portion and other top portions broken away; Fig. 12A is avertical section through the escapement wheel adjusting bar along linel2A--l2A of Fig. 12; and Fig. 13 is a view of the opposite end of thebulb placement wheel from that shown in Fig. 2.

The principal steps of operation of the machine shown in the drawinginclude the separation of the bulbs 20 received from the conveyor belt2! into a plurality of rows corresponding to the rows of openings in thetrays and, at the same time, the orientation-of said bulbs 20 tocorresponding positions. These operations are performed by the apparatusat the left of Fig. 1 and result in the placing of the bulbs 20 betweenthe moving belts of the feeding and storage means 22 which advancesthebulbs 20 to the right end of the machine shown in Fig. 2. In this latterportion of the machine, apparatus is provided for releasing single bulbs20 from each of the rows simultaneously and for placing said bulbs 2|!into the openings in the trays. 23 during the course of the movement ofsaid trays 23 through the machine. The trays 23 enter the machine at apoint below the bulb conveyor 2 I at the left end thereof and areadvanced through the machine first by a conveyor belt 24 shown in Fig. 1and then by the apparatus 25 shown in Fig. 2 which adapts the motionthereof to the operation of the adjacent bulb release and placementapparatus. Separate electric motors are provided for driving the variousportions of the machine.

The bulbs 20, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, are introduced in the left endof the machine by means of the conveyor belt 2| and usually cover almostthe full top surface thereof. The conveyor belt 2| extends to a positionadjacent the feed roll 26 which is rotated in a clockwise directioncausing said bulbs 26 to be fed immediately against the assemblycomprised of the discs 21 which, in turn, divide them into a plurality(ten) of courses of movement. The roll 26 is located below the conveyorbelt 2| and agitates the bulbs 20 so forcefully that they are virtuallytossed into the disc assembly by the rotative movement of the roll 26and are separated from each other somewhat so that they usually do notcontact one another. The peripheral portion of the discs 21 is thin,whereas the center portion is relatively thick and the bulbs 28 whichreadily pass between adjacent discs 21 roll and move about until theyare orientated into alignment with the space between the discs 21 andrest on the converging sides thereof. The disc assembly which includesthe hub formed by a plurality of drums 28 is rotated at a relativelyrapid rate so that the bulbs 20 contacting the discs 21 are quicklyadvanced and are removed from the path of succeeding bulbs 20. As shownin Fig. 3, the discs 21 are separated by the rings 29 and, together withthe drums 28 of the hub and the end plates 36 at opposite sides thereof,are clamped into a unitary assembly by the tie bolts 3|. A shaft 32which extends completely through the assembly provides for the supportthereof by its engagement with the brackets 33 on the girders 34 of theframe on opposite sides of the machine and provides for the rotation ofthe assembly by the drive means (Fig. 1) comprising pulley 36, belt 31,pulley 38, speed reducer 39 and the electric motor 46. The roll 26 isalso turned by the shaft 32, the drive being provided by the pulley 4|(Fig. 3) on the end of said shaft 32 at the far side of the machine andthe belt 42 which runs in a suitable groove 43 in the roll 26. Extendingarms 44 of the brackets 33 support the opposite ends of the roll 26. Inthis particular instance both the discs 21 and the covering 45 over roll26 are made of rubber so that the slippage between the bulbs 20 andthese parts, the noise created by the engagement of the parts with thebulbs 28, and the breakage of the bulbs 28 are reduced to a minimum.These latter advantages are realized partly because the discs 21 aresomewhat flexible. The speed of operation of the machine and consequentspeed of rotation of the discs 21 often cause the bulbs 20 to be thrownupward against the cloth screen 46 which is carried by the frame 41 ofpipes held by the arms 44 of brackets 33. The bulbs 20 are preventedfrom rolling outward awayfrom the endmost discs 21 by shields(corresponding to that shown at 48). In this particular instance thebulbs 28 are still at a fairly high-temperature, having been taken froman annealing oven by the conveyor belt 2|, and it is preferred that asource of compressed air be connected to frame 41 and a series ofopenings be made in the under side of the cross members 49 and 50thereof to allow cooling jets of air to play on the discs 21 to preventthem from reaching a high temperature and consequently deteriorating.

The bulbs 20 are carried along with discs 21 until the rotation thereofbrings them into contact with the belts whereupon they are separatedfrom the discs 21 and, while still retaining their ten separated coursesof travel, are carried into the adjacent feed and storage means 22. Thebulbs 28 come to rest on the belts 5| in a substantially horizontalposition and are not correspondingly orientated as the open neck orbulbous portion may be foremost in its course of movement, but in eitherinstance are carried with the belts 5| until the bulbous portion passesover and comes to rest on adjacent feed belts 52. In this manner allbulbs 28 are caused to rest in similar vertical positions between feedbelts 52, which correspond in number to the discs 21 and thereforeprovide corresponding (ten) courses or channels of movement.

The belts 5| which provide for the transfer and final orientation of thebulbs 20 extend about the rings '29 located between each of the discs 21and between the feed belts 52 to the idler drum 53 which turns on theshaft 54 held by the brackets 55 on the girders 34 of the frame of themachine. The rotation of the rings 29 creates the movement in the belts5| which pass along a channel in the guide plates 56 (Figs. 1, 3 and 4)and between the partitions 51 in the course of their movement frombetween the discs 21 to a position between the feed belts 52. The guideplates 56 function as supports for the belts 5| and prevent them frombeing wedged between the discs 21 and belts 5| in certain instances. Thepartitions 51, on the other hand, confine the bulbs 20 to the course ofmovement and prevent them from rolling from the belts 5| so as to becomedisarranged and separated from their means of movement. Both the guideplates 56 and the partitions 51 are mounted on the transverse bar 58held by the brackets 59 carried by the girders 34 at opposite sides ofthe machine.

The bulbs 28 are now held by the belts 52 of the feeding and storagemeans 22. which belts 52 are in alignment with the discs 21 and whichare of such a width that the bulbous portions of said bulbs 20 rest onthe belts 52 on opposite sides thereof, whereas the neck portions extenddown therebetween. Each belt 52 is comprised of a chain 60 (Figs. 1, 2,3 and 5) which extends about a sprocket 6| adjacent said discs 21 at theleft end of the machine and a second sprocket 62 adjacent the trayfilling apparatus at the right end of the machine and provides a seriesof fibre blocks 63 attached to the links thereof which butt against eachother forming a smooth continuous surface for carrying the bulbs 20. Thesprockets 6| and 62 which are mounted on the shafts 64 and 65respectively, the former of which is held by the brackets 66 on the sidegirders 34 of the frame and the latter of which is pivoted in bearings(like that shown at 61, Fig. 6) in the side frames 68 and 69, areseparated a considerable distance so that a comparatively lengthysection of the belt 52 is presented and so that a goodly number of bulbs20 are held thereby at all times. All belts 52 are advanced by rotationof the sprockets 6| and 62, which are turned by the sprocket 16 on theend of shaft 65 adjacent side frame 68 and are moved independently ofall other apparatus by means connected thereto through the chain 1|. Thechain 1|, as shown in Fig. 2, passes over the idler sprockets 12 and 13attached to the side frame 68 and a sprocket driven by the electricmotor14 and moves the belts 52 so rapidly that the bulbs 20 are carried awayfrom the left end thereof as soon as they are received. In this way thebulbs 29 can not interfere with the movements of each other or be brokenby contact with each other. The movement of the belts B2 slides themalong the U-shaped bars I5 (Figs. 1, 2 and 5) which are mounted on theuprights I3 extending from the cross members ll of the frame between thegirders .34 and finally carries said bulbs 28 against the parts of thewheel I8 which control all further movements thereof.

Since the bulbs 20 are not divided equally between the ten differentcourses of movement defined by the belts 52 at all moments and arereceived at irregular intervals as shown, a considerable reserve supplythereof is provided on the belts 52 in order that a bulb 28 will alwaysbe in position to be released by the wheel I8. This reserve supply is inmotion at all times but at a slower rate than the movement of the belts52 and is not disturbed by the difference in motion as the belts 62present a smooth preferably wax surface which permit them to slide belowsaid bulbs 20. U-shaped guides 13 which are mounted over the reservebulb supply on a cross bar 88 between the side frames I58 and 89 preventthe bulbs. 28 from climbing over each other and moving out of position.It is preferred that an operator be stationed at the side of the machineadjacent the feed and storage belts 52 to check on the distribution ofthe bulbs 20 between the ten diiferent courses of travel, as it may benecessary to clear broken bulbs which have been accepted by the machineand correct other conditions that are interfering with the properdistribution therein. It may also be necessary to remove, manually,incorrectly positioned bulbs 28 which have been thrown over the discs 21and onto the belts 52 and move bulbs 20 from between one set of belts 52to another on occasion. The return lengths of the belts 52 which extendbetween the lower edges of the sprockets BI and 62 are supported atintervals by the rollers 8i and 82 (Figs. 1 and 2) which are held by thebearing blocks 83 attached to the under side of the girderstt onoppositesides' of the machine. In order that the machine be adapted tohandle various sizes of bulbs and to operate at the sometimes slightlydifierent speeds of operation of the apparatus advancing the bulbsthereto, it is preferred that the electric motor 18 be of an adjustablespeed type and that means be provided for adjusting its speed asdesired.

The release and-placement of the bulbs 23 into the trays 23 is dependenton the advancement of said trays 23 through conveyor 23 located belowthe discs 21 etc., at the left end (Fig. 1) of the machine and the trayadvancing apparatus 25 below the right end (Fig. 2) of the feed andstorage belts 52. A source of trays providing a constant supply thereofmust be connected to the end of the conveyor 24, which source in thisparticular instance is a conveyor (not shown) having considerable lengthso as to afford storage for a considerable number of trays 23 andtherefore provide a ready source for the great number required. Commonspeeds of operation require that eight to fifteen trays 23 be providedevery minute. The guide rails 86 of conveyor 24 can, if desired, becontinuations of similar rails of the source of trays 23 and as shown inFig. 7 provide slide ways for the angular bars 81 along opposite sidesof the trays 23. The

bars 81 extend completely around the fiat plate 88 of the trays 23 whichmust advance into the present machine until the bar 87 along the forwardedge engages and is pulled along by the moving belts 8989. As shown inFig. 1, each belt 89 passes around an idler pulley 90 on the stub shaft8| extending from the bracket 92, passes along to the shoe 99 whichraises it into the path of movement of the bars 81 of the trays 23 andpasses around a driven pulley94 (Figs. 2 and 8) on the driven shaft 95under the right end of the machine. The brackets 92 are fastened to thebars 96 by bolts extending through slots therein and can be adjustedalong said bars 96 to tighten or loosen the belts 89-89. The guide rails83, in turn, are fastened together by the cross-bars 91, 98 and 99, thefirst two 97 supported by the rod IIII carried by brackets I02 atopposite sides-of the base I03 of the machine and extends betweencorresponding brackets I (only one being shown), on opposite sides ofthe end of said base I03, which support the girders 33. A roller I35 ona pin I88 on each bracket I08 provides an intermediate support for thelower span of the belts 89.

The tray advancing apparatus 2'5 as shown in Figs. 2 and 8 providesguide rails Ill'l similar to those of the conveyor 24 for supporting thetrays 23 and also provides cams I'M-I08 in the direct line of movementof the bar 8l on the front and back edges to control the movementthereof. The guide rails Ill'l are stationary members being attached atintervals to the side frames 68 and 69 by the blocks I08 (indicated indot-dash lines in Fig. 8) and provide inclined slide ways for carryingthe trays 23 into operative relation to the bulb escapement andplacement apparatus rotation of the cams I 88-408 which are attached tothe pulleys 9494 on the driven shaft 95 carries the notches IIB intoposition to receive the bar 87 at the front edge of the tray 23 so thatthe belts 89-89 can advance it beyond the cams Hill-498. Normally, onetray 23 will butt tightly against another and the bars 81 at the backand front edge of succeeding trays 23 will pass into the notches III) ofthe cam I08 automatically so that no interruptions will occur in themovements of the trays 23. If a tray 23 becomes separated from thesucceeding tray 23 or is introduced at the incorrect time, the bar 81 atthe front edge will butt against the raised portion of the camsI08--III8 which stop it from moving momentarily. Such trays 23 areprevented from being forced over the raised portion of the cams lim -I08by the downward pressure of the roller III which is mounted so as torest on the top surface thereof and which is weighted down by the blocksII2 attached to the, bearing blocks I I3 on the spindles extending fromopposite ends thereof. Slotted arms IM engaging the. end spindles ofroller III and attached to, the guide rails I'I at opposite sides of themachine limit the movement of the roller III to a substantially verticaldirection. The adjacent ends of the driven shaft 95 is journaled in thebearing blocks II which rest on the inclined surfaces provided by thebase plates II8.

At the same time, the notches 'I I0 in the cams I08 are turned intoposition to receive the bar 81 at the edge of a tray 23, two dogs Illand H8 on each of a pair of chains I I9 extending between sprockets I20and I2I on shafts 85 and I22 respectively are carried into positions infront and behind said bar 81. These dogs II! and H8 now control themovement of the trays 23 as there is only suilicient space between themfor the bars 81 at the back and front edge of abutted trays 23 andadvance said trays 23 through the movement of the chains II8 which inturn are driven from the electric motor I23 in combination with the bulbeseapement and placement means by the driving mechanism within the gearcase I24 (Fig. on side frame 89. As indicated in dotdash lines, theshaft I'2I is driven in combination with other apparatus of the machinefrom a lay shaft I25 within the gear case I24 through worm gears I28 andI21, which shaft I25 extends nearly the full length of the case and isdriven at reduced speed through the worm gears I28 and I29 by the shaftI30 of the electric motor I23. Each dog II'I-I I8 is fastened to ears(Fig. 9) extending from a link in the chain II9 and rests oncorresponding ears of an adjacent link during the intervals it isfollowing the straight course of movement between sprockets I and I2I.Stationary slide bars I3I clamped to the rods I32 and I33 extendingbetween side frames 88 and 89 of the machine provide a rest for the .topstraight portions of the chains II9 so that they follow the course ofmovement of the trays 23 at all times. In this particular instance, theelectric motor I23 is the adjustable speed type and is caused to operateat a speed which will advance the trays 23 and operate other portions ofthe machine at a sufficient rate to care for all the bulbs 20 receivedby the machine. The trays 23 are advanced continuously at a uniform rateof speed and present a succession of openings I09 at the loading stationX as said openings I09 are arranged at regular intervals along the tray23. Succeeding trays 23 provide othersimilarly grouped openings I09 andform an endless procession thereof as the first and last openings I09 ofadjacent trays 23 are spaced the same distance as those in the midportion of a tray 23. The openings I09 are also divided intolongitudinally extending rows corresponding in number (ten) to thecourses of movement of the bulbs 20 held by the feed and storage belts52.

Because of the high speed of operation of the machine, several bulbs 20are in the process of being loaded into the trays 23 at all times, a

process which includes the release of a bulb 20 from each of the tencourses of movement along the feed and storage belts 52 and then theneck first insertion of the bulbs 20 through the openings I09 in thetrays 23. The release or escapement operation is performed by a wheel I8(Figs. 2, 11 and 12) having a plurality of blades or paddles I34 whichare carried down between the last two bulbs 28 in each course ofmovement along the feed and storage belts 52 in succeede ing intervalsand which prevent all but the last bulbs 20 from being advanced by saidbelts 52. The blades I34 are attached to short arms I35 pivotallymounted on pins I38 extending from hubs I3I-I3l' at the opposite ends ofshaft I38 and, at the time of their first engagement with the bulbs 20,extend in a radial direction from the shaft I38. As the wheel I8 turnsand succeeding bulbs 20 are separated from those in the line, the bladesI34 swing up out of the path of movement of the bulbs 20 so that theyare free to travel along with the feed and storage belts 52. This lattermovement of the blades I34 is under the control of the cams I39 whichare located on the ends of shaft I38 adjacent the hubs I31 and which areengaged by the rollers I40 on the arms I extending from the ends of saidblades I34. The biasing of the springs I42 extending between posts inthe hubs I31 and the arms I causes the blades I34 to be held so that therollers I40 follow the contour of the cams I38 which do not turn withshaft I38 as they are held by the engagement of the yokes I43 with theflat portion of the bosses I44 thereof. A pin I45 attaches each yoke I43to a bar I48 (Figs. 12 and 12A) which is held by the side frame (88 or88) and which can be moved longitudinally therein, so as to turn the camI39 and change the timing of the swinging movement of the blades I34, byadjustment to the clamping bolt I41 and the adjusting screw I48 (Fig.12).

The rotation of the bulb escapement wheel I8, which is dependent on therate 'of movement of the trays 23, originates in the lay shaft I25 (Fig.10) of the driving means within the gear case I24 on the lower portionof the side frame 89 and is transferred to the shaft I38 supporting saidwheel I8 through the vertical shaft I50 and the worm gear I5I, wormwheel I52 and stub shaft I53 within the box I54 adiaoent one end of saidshaft I38. A flanged coupling I55 connects the end of the shaft I38 tothe stub shaft I53 whereas the pair of bevel gears I58 and I51, thelatter of which engages splines on the end of the shaft I50, connectsshaft I50 and lay shaft I25.

When other sizes and shapes of bulbs 20 are being fed and differentspeeds of operation are being used, the escapement wheel I8 must beraised or lowered so as to operate properly. This adjustment is made byaltering the position of the bearing block I58 in the slide waysprovided in the guide bars I59 and I and the box I54 in the slide waysprovided by the brackets I8I and I82, and is produced by manuallyrotating the crank I83 (Fig. 10) of means providing for the equaladjustment ofboth bearing block I58 and box I54. The crank I83 isattached to one end of a rod I84 extending between the side frames 88and 89 of the machine and provides for the operation of correspondingmeans at each side of the machine which means (referring to the singleinstance shown) is comprised of the worm gear I85, worm wheel I88, thethreaded spindle I81 and a vertically disposed rod I88. The rotation ofthe rod I84 and worm gear I85 causes the rotation of the worm wheel I88and screws the spindle I81 in or outof the end of the rod I88 causing itand the box I54 which rests on its upper end to move down or up. Theworm gear and wheel I85 and I88 respectively and spindle I8'I areenclosed within the gear case I89 which also functions as a guide forthe lower end of the rod I88. The brackets I'I0-II0 similarly provideguiding means for intermediate portions of the rod I88. In the instanceof the apparatus on the opposite side of the machine,

. 9 the bearing block I58 (Fig. 11) rests on the end of a rod I68corresponding to the rod I68.

The operations of the escapement wheel 18 must occur at differentintervals with respect to the movements of the trays 28 on occasionswhen smaller and differently shaped bulbs are being fed and accordinglymust be capable of being adjusted through the few degrees of separationbetween the blades I34 thereof. This adjustment is made in the drivemeans for the escapement wheel 18 by manually turning the bushing "Iheld by the gear box I so that the screw threads of said bushing I'I'Imove the sleeve I12 and the worm gear II vertically with respect to theworm wheel I52. The lead of the teeth of the worm ear I 5| turns theworm wheel I52 and the escapement wheel 18 the required amount. Notchesin the periphery of the bushing III permit the bushing I'I'I to beturned more readily and permit it to be locked in place by a pin (notshown) placed in an opening in the top of the gear box I58. The driveshaft I50 holding the worm gear I5I is mounted in the bearings I13 andI19 at a fixed position with relation thereto and is therefore movedvertically therewith. During this latter movement of the. shaft I50 andthat movement occurring during the vertical adjustment of the escapementwheel 18, the splines on the lower end of the shaft I50 slide in thebevel gear I51 without disturbing its position in the gear case I20.

A bulb 20, after being released by the escapement wheel 18, is carriedalong with the feed and storage belts 52 (Fig. 2) until it is broughtagainst one of the moving fingers I15 of the placement means whichcontrols and directs its movement to an opening I09 in the tray 23 atstation X. The fingers I15 (Figs. 12 and 13) of the placement means areextending portions of the vanes I16 of the placement wheel I11 and arecarried down between the feed and storage belts 52 during thecounterclockwise rotation of the wheel I11 to a point where the force ofthe feed belts 52 and an air jet from the nozzle I18 cause the bulbs 20to be laid thereagainst. The nozzle I18 is mounted on a pipe I19extending from the manifold I80 which is, in turn, mounted in the sidethe open neck of the bulb 2o passes into the opening I09 and allows thebulb 20 to travel along with the tray 23 so that it retains its relationwith the said opening I09. Finally the bulb 20 slides from the guiderails I85 to the tray 23. As in the prior instance, the nozzles I89 aremounted on pipes I80 extending from a manifold I9I which is in turn heldby cylindrical blocks I82 and I 93 (Figs. 2 and 10 respectively)retained by the side frames 68 and 69 respectively. The manifold I9I isfree to turn in block I92 and is positioned by the block I93 which isnormally turned by the expansion of the spring I94 extending betweenposts in the handle I95 attached to thecylindrical block I93 and theside frame 69 so that the shoulder I96 thereof is against the stop screwI91 in the block I98 on side frame 69. Adjustment of the stop screw I91turns the manifold I8I and redirects the air jets. In certain instancesbroken glass, etc., whichmay have fallen on the trays 23 and theadjacent parts of the machine and which may be interfering with themovements of the bulbs 20', can be dislodged therefrom by depressing theair jets momentarily through manual pressure on the handle I95.

The fingers I15 and vanes I16 of the placement wheel I11 are separatedfarther than succeeding openings I09 in the trays 23 and are caused tochange their relation in the wheel I11 directly after the bulb 20 dropsinto the opening I09 so as not to interfere with the bulb 20 in theadjacent opening I09 in the tray 23. This action of the fingers I15(Figs. '12 and 13) results from a corresponding movement of the vanesI16 which are mounted on arms 208 pivotally fastened-to the hubs 20I-20Iadjacent the ends of the shaft 202, which movement is caused by thepassage of the rollers 203 on other arms 204- extending from the ends ofthe vanes I16 from the high parts of the cams 205-205 located adjacentthe hubs '20I-20I. The cams 205 are stationary members held in place bythe yokes 206 which are frame 69 and the cylindrical block I8I and whichis connected to a source (not shown) of compressed air through the blockMI and pipe I82. Slots (not shown) in the flange of the block I8I permitit and the manifold I80 to be turned with respect to the clamping screwsI83 so thatthe air jet may be redirected if desired. Still fur therrotation of the placement wheel I11, after the bulb 20 is laid on afinger I15 thereof, carries a succeeding finger I15 into position behindthe 'bulb 20 so that it is separated from the next bulb 20 to beadvanced along the feed belts 52 and carries the bulbous portion of saidfirst bulb '20 from the feed belts 52 to the inclined guide rails I85which are in line therewith. The guide rails I85 are stationary membersbeing attached to the bar I86 extending between the cylindrical blocksI81-I88 (Figs. 6 and 10) in the side frames 68 and 69 and support thebulb 20 which is moved therealong by the finger I15 of the placementwheel I1.'I. finger I15 holding the bulb 20 changes during the rotationof the placement wheel I11 until the bulb 20, which is kept thereagainstby a second The angularity of the jet' of air from the nozzle I89, isdirectly aligned parts of the cams 205bring the vanes I16 back to theirprior position. The means of supporting and rotating the placement wheelI11 corresponds to similar means associated with the escapement wheel 18and comprises a bearing block 206 (Figs. 12 and 13) between the guidebars 201 and 208 on side frame 68 at one end thereof and the gear box209 (Figs. 10 and 12) between the brackets 2H] and 2 on side frame 69 atthe opposite end thereof. Corresponding bolts 2I2 and brackets 2 I3below the bearing block 206 and the gear box 209 bear the weight of theopposite ends of the placement wheel I11 and permit it to be adjustedvertically. The gear box 209 andassociated apparatus are duplications ofbox I 54 and associated apparatus and provide a stub shaft 11 openingsI09 in the trays 23, can be adjusted by rotating the bushing 2!! on thebox 209.

The bulb feeding or traying apparatus is operated continuouslycorresponding to the regular movements of the trays 23 and fills theopenings I09 thereinas rapidly as they are presented. As the trays 23are filled, they are pushed along the rails I01 and I! by the succeedingtrays 23 and pass from the machine to another conveyor (not shown) orother means which is capable of caring for them without disturbing theirregular motion along the guide rails i01l 01.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States is:

1. In apparatus of the class described for feeding articles such as lampbulbs comprising means for guiding a row of the bulbs along a course ofmovement in a suspended neck-down position, placement means fordirecting movement of individual bulbs along the guiding meanscomprising a rotatable wheel having a plurality of radially extendingfingers pivotally mounted thereon, means for turning said wheel to causethe fingers to be carried between succeeding bulbs in the guiding meansand to control the movements and position of the bulbs, and means forchanging the radial relationship of the fingers in the wheel upondelivery of the bulbs from the guiding means.

2. In an electric lamp bulb traying apparatus, the combination of meansfor conveying bulbs in suspended neck-down position along a plurality ofparallel horizontal courses of movement, each of said coursesterminating in a downwardly inclined slide means, an escapement wheelabove and adjacent the end of said courses of movement, said escapementwheel being mounted on a horizontal axis and having radially extendingblades adapted to extend between the bowl portions of successive bulbsin each of said courses. a rotatable placement wheel disposed above saidslide means on a horizontal axis and having a plurality of fingers forengaging the bowl portions of the bulbs in said slide means andcontrolling their position and movement therein, and means for turningthe escapement and placement wheels in proper time relation to cause theescapement wheel to release a bulb from each of the courses to-the slidemeans and the placement wheel whence they are guided neck end foremostinto a tray.

3. In an electric lamp bulb traying apparatus, the combination of meansfor supporting a row of bulbs by their bowl portions so they hang neckdown and conveying them along a horizontal course of movementterminating in downwardly inclined slide rails from which they aredirected neck end foremost into apertures in a tray, an escapement wheelmounted above and adjacent the end of said course of movement on ahorizontal axis transverse to said course of movement, said wheel havingadjustable, approximately radially extending, blades adapted to enterbetween the bowl portions of successive bulbs in said course ofmovement, means for rotating said wheel in a direction corresponding tothe direction of travel of the bulbs in said course to cause successiveblades on said wheel to be interposed between successive bulbs tothereby segregate and release the bulbs one at a time while restrainingthe remaining bulbs in the course, and means'to automatically adjusteach blade, upon segregation of a bulb, in a direction which increasesits angularity with respect to the next succeeding blade whereby toeffect speedier release of the segregated bulb, a

rotatable placement wheel located above said slide rails on a horizontalaxis transverse to the direction of movement of the bubs in said sliderails, said placement wheel having approximately radially extendingfingers adapted to engage the bulbs in said slide rails to control theirposition and movement therein, and means to synchronize the rotation ofthe escapement and placement wheels to cause the escapement wheel torelease bulbs to the slide rails and the placement wheel in proper timesequence.

4. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with means forsupporting a, row of electric lamp bulbs by their bowl portions so theyhang neck down and conveying them along a horizontal course of movement,of an escapement wheel mounted above and adjacent the end of said courseof movement on a horizontal axis transverse to said course of movement,said wheel having adjustable, approximately radially extending bladesadapted to enter between successive bulbs in said course of movement,means [for rotating said wheel in a direction corresponding to thedirection of travel of the bulbs in said course to cause successiveblades on said wheel to be interposed between successive bulbs tothereby segregate and release the bulbs one at a time while restrainingthe remaining bulbs in the course, and means to automatically adjusteach blade, upon segregation of a bulb, in a direction which increasesits angularity with respect to the next succeeding blade whereby toeffect speedier release of the segregated bulb.

5. Apparatus for loading electric lamp bulbs into trays comprising thecombination of a source of disarranged bulbs, a continuously movinghorizontal storage conveyor composed of a plurality' of endless belts inspaced side-by-side relation arranged to carry rows of bulbs insuspended neck-down position between adjacent pairs of belts, meansbetween said source and said storage conveyor constructed and arrangedto segregate bulbs received from said source and guide them into saidstorage conveyor, a tray conveyor for trays having transverse rows ofapertures corresponding in number to the rows in said storage conveyor,said tray conveyor being constructed and arranged to carry said traysunder and beyond the end of said storage conveyor in the same generaldirection in which the bulbs are moved in said storage conveyor, releasemeans adjacent the end of said storage conveyor constructed and arrangedto periodically and simultaneously release single bulbs from the rows insaid storage conveyor and guide them neck-end foremost into a transverserow of apertures in a tray, and mechanism for synchronizing theoperation of the bulb release means with the movement of trays in saidconveyor.

6. Apparatus for loading electric lampvbulbs into trays comprising thecombination of a source of disarranged bulbs, a continuously movinghorizontal storage conveyor composed of a plurality of endless belts inspaced side-by-side relation arranged to carry rows of bulbs insuspended neck-down position between adjacent pairs of belts, meansbetween said source and said storage conveyor constructed and arrangedto segregate bulbs received from said source and guide them into saidstorage conveyor, said means comprising a plurality of pairs of tapereddiscs of flexible non-metallic material mounted in spaced relation on acommon horizontal shaft and arranged to receive bulbs from said sourceat a point above assasss moved in said storage conveyor, release meansadjacent the end of said storage conveyor constructed and arranged toperiodically and simultaneously release single bulbs from the rows insaid storage conveyor and guide them neck-end foremost into a transverserow of apertures in a tray, and mechanism for synchronizing theoperation of the bulb release means with the movement of trays in saidconveyor.

7. Apparatus for loading electric lamp bulbs into trays comprising thecombination of a source of disarranged bulbs, a continuously movinghorizontal storage conveyor composed of a plurality of endless belts inspaced'side-by-side relation arranged to carry rows of bulbs insuspended neck-down position between adjacent pairs belts, means betweensaid source and said storage conveyor constructed and arranged toseparate bulbs received from said source and guide them into saidstorage conveyor, said means comprising a plurality of pairs of tapereddiscs of flexible non-metallic material mounted in spaced relation on acommon horizontal shaft and arranged to receive bulbs from said sourceat a point above the said shaft whereby to segregate the bulbs and carrythem over in separate rows, and a plurality of endless belts around saidshaft between pairs of adiacent discs and extending into the spacesbetween the pairs of spaced belts in said storage conveyor for carryingthe segregated bulbs from said discs to said storage conveyor, a trayconveyor for trays having transverse rows of apertures correponding innumber to the rowin said storage conveyor, said tray conveyor beingconstructed and arranged to carry said trays under and beyond the end ofsaid storage conveyor in the same general direction in which the bulbsare moved in said storage conveyor, release means adiacent the end ofsaid storage conveyor constructed and arranged to periodically andsimultaneously release single bulbs from the rows in said storageconveyor and guide them neck-end foremost into a transverse row ofapertures in a tray, and mechanism for synchronizing the operation ofthe bulb release means with the movement of trays in said conveyor.

8. Apparatus for loading electric lamp bulbs into trays comprising thecombination or a source or disarranged bulbs, a continuously movinghorizontal storage conveyor composed of a plurality oi endless belts inspaced side-by-side relation arranged to carry rows of bulbs insuspended neckdown position between adjacent pairs oi! belts, meansbetween said source and said storage conveyor constructed and arrangedto segregate bulbs received from said source and guide them into saidstorage conveyor, a tray conveyor i'or trays having transverse rows ofapertures corresponding in number to the rows in said storage conveyor,said tray conveyor being constructed andarranged to carry said traysunder and beyond the end of said storage conveyor in the same generaldirection in which the bulbs are moved in said storage conveyor, releasemeans adjacent the end or said storage conveyor constructed and leasesingle bulbs from the rows in said storage conveyor and guide themneck-end foremost into a transverse row of apertures in a tray, saidrelease means including a rotatable paddle wheel located adjacent andabove the end of said storage conveyor on a horizontal axis so thatsuccessive paddles enter between the upper bowl portions of successivebulbs in each row of bulbs in said storage conveyor, and mechanism forsynchronizing the operation of the bulb release means with the movementof trays in said conveyor.

9. Apparatus for loading electric lamp bulbs into trays comprising" thecombination of a source of ,disarranged bulbs, a, continuously movinghorizontal storage conveyor composed of s plurality of endless belts inspaced side-by-sid: relation arranged to carry rows of bulbs insuspended neck-down position between adjacen pairs of belts, meansbetween said source am said storage conveyor constructed and arrange: tosegregate bulbs received from said source anc guide them into saidstorage conveyor, a tray conveyor for trays having transverse rows ofapertures corresponding in number to the rows in said storage conveyor,said tray conveyor being constructed and arranged to carry said traysunder and beyond the end of said storage conveyor in the same generaldirection in which the bulbs are moved in said storage conveyor,downwardly inclined slide rails extending from the ends of the rows insaid storage conveyor toward said tray conveyor, an escapement paddlewheel located adjacent and above the end of said storage conveyor on ahorizontal axis so that successive paddles enter between the upper bowlportions of successive bulbs in each row of bulbs in said storageconveyor, a rotatable placement wheel located above said slide rails ona horizontal axis and having a plurality of fingers for engaging thebowl portions of the bulbs in said slide rails and controlling theirposition and movement therein, and means for turning the escapement andplacement wheels in proper time relation to the movement of the trays insaid conveyor to cause the escapement wheel to simultaneously release abulb from each of the rows in said storage conveyor to the slide railsand the placement wheel whence the bulbs are guided neck-endforemostinto the apertures in a tray.

CARL A. BROWN. DORIS M. VAN SICKLE, Administratrix of the Estate 0!Frank B. Van

'Sickle, Deceased.

nsrmmncss CITED The following references are of record in the

